Articles tagged with Deforestation
A new study reveals Amazonian forests regrow much slower than previously believed, taking up to a century to fully recover and potentially overestimating their role in combating human-caused climate change.
A new model predicts that deforestation and small-scale gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon increase mercury levels in local rivers, with effects lasting for decades. The research suggests that policies can be developed to mitigate these impacts and protect public health.
Animal species from low-disturbance environments are more sensitive to modern forest fragmentation, according to a study of global datasets. The researchers found strong support for the extinction filter hypothesis, suggesting that species adapted to high disturbance areas may be more resilient to new disturbances.
Scientists have linked the surge in Amazon fires this summer to large increases in deforestation, with August's active fire counts three times higher than in 2018. Deforestation is often followed by fire, and evidence from NASA satellites shows a significant upturn in both active fire counts and deforestation in 2019.
A new study reveals that intact tropical forests have a significantly higher carbon impact than previously thought, with losses between 2000 and 2013 resulting in a 626% increase. This translates to two years' worth of global land-use change emissions and underscores the urgent need for conservation.
Researchers use new mapping method to identify most vulnerable tropical forest areas, combining 45 years of satellite images with current land use data. The analysis reveals the impact of human activity, such as agriculture and infrastructure development, on deforestation and forest degradation.
A new project aims to use Inga trees to keep land fertile for the long term, reducing pressure on smallholders to abandon their land. The plan could help maintain tree cover in the Amazonian Arc of Deforestation by supporting sustainable agriculture and providing a premium income for milk produced from grazing cattle.
Deforestation in the Amazon region has been shown to increase malaria transmission by 3.27% for every 10% increase in forest loss. This effect is more pronounced in areas with limited remaining forest, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental and human health.
A recent study by University of Kansas researcher Gabriel de Oliveira analyzed satellite data to understand the effects of deforestation on Amazonian ecosystems. The research revealed significant differences in soil and air temperatures, evapotranspiration rates, and energy exchanges between forested and non-forested areas.
A new study published in Frontiers found that Amazon deforestation causes local climates to warm, particularly in areas with severe tree cover loss. Intact forests maintained more climate stability, while disturbed forests experienced larger temperature increases during dry periods.
A recent study found that while protected areas are reducing deforestation, their effectiveness varies, and conventional management indicators do not show the whole picture. Approximately half of the studied areas showed no deforestation, and 29 out of 36 had a positive impact in mitigating deforestation.
A University of Queensland-led study identified factors fuelling Colombian deforestation, including conflict between illegal groups and government forces, as well as proximity to coca plantations and mining concessions. The research highlights the importance of stable governance in retaining forests and reducing deforestation risk.
A new study suggests that unrestrained deforestation in the Amazon region could lead to a dramatic increase in wildfire risk by 70% by the end of the century. Improving sustainable land management practices could mitigate this risk and reduce the probability of wildfires.
Scientists at the University of Sheffield discovered how climate change and deforestation interact to disconnection natural habitats, leaving wildlife with limited escape routes from rising temperatures. The study highlights the urgent need to fund reforestation efforts and stop tropical forest loss.
A study by Herrera et al. reveals that federal protections in Brazil's Amazon reduce deforestation more effectively than state-level measures. The results suggest that the effectiveness of protected areas depends on the level of government involvement.
Researchers found that deforested areas leach older, biodegradable organic carbon into rivers, which is consumed by microbes and released as CO2. This process could jeopardize local ecosystems and fuel the greenhouse effect.
Researchers found that lemurs' gut microbes vary by species and habitat, affecting their ability to digest plant-based diets. The study suggests that leaf-eating sifakas may be more sensitive to forest loss due to their specialized microbial mix.
Researchers argue that palm oil's environmental impacts are case-specific, with some locations experiencing devastating deforestation while others benefit from sustainable development. The industry also provides income and employment opportunities for millions of people.
A recent study published in Conservation Biology found that Amazonian deforestation leads to reduced abundance and diversity of soil fauna and microbes. The research team also discovered that land use patterns after forest clearance impact soil biodiversity, with certain species more vulnerable to displacement than others.
A recent study by Imperial College London found that birds living near the edge of their range are more sensitive to deforestation than those closer to their core habitat. The research analyzed 378 bird species across 211 sites in Brazil's Atlantic Forest, revealing dramatic differences in sensitivity to habitat loss.
A recent study by Michigan State University researchers found that nature reserves close to cities are more effective at preventing deforestation than remote areas. The study evaluated China's protected areas and concluded that these reserves can sequester significant amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to combat global deforestation.
New research shows that community forest management in Nepal has simultaneously reduced deforestation and poverty. The study found a 37% relative reduction in deforestation and a 4.3% relative reduction in poverty, benefiting over 1.36 million households.
A government-run program in the Brazilian Amazon distributes revenue from carbon credits to rural laborers and family farmers, creating an inclusive green economy. The program's benefits include expanded social welfare initiatives and potential to prevent deforestation, but also raises concerns about land power and potential risks.
Researchers warn that increased tariffs on US soya bean exports to China could trigger extensive tree-felling in Brazil's Amazon rainforest. The study suggests measures to reduce deforestation, including removing trade tariffs and improving environmental protection schemes.
Two new studies reveal that a sixth of EU citizens' typical diet-related emissions can be directly linked to tropical forest deforestation. The research highlights the need for stricter regulations on food imports and alternative production methods.
A new model predicts that Brazilian deforestation could lead to a 1.45°C increase in local surface temperature by 2050, with tropical regions experiencing the greatest warming effects. Forestation has the potential to reverse these impacts, especially in tropical and temperate regions.
Deforestation affects lizard populations differently in highlands compared to lowlands, with some highland species facing extinction due to the lack of suitable habitat. The study provides insights into the consequences of climate change and human land-use on biodiversity.
A new study by Duke University reveals that Indonesia's deforestation rate is changing, with wildfires, mining, and small-scale farming playing a larger role than previously thought. This shift highlights the need for policymakers to adjust their conservation policies and practices to account for the varied causes of forest loss.
A new clause in Brazil's Forest Code could result in the loss of protection for up to 15 million hectares of tropical rainforest in the Amazon. This would compromise efforts to regularize legal reserves and lead to huge losses of biodiversity, water supply, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Recordings of tropical forest sounds unlock secrets about biodiversity and aid conservation efforts around the world. Bioacoustics is a relatively inexpensive method that produces powerful conservation insights, enabling the evaluation of conservation interventions and monitoring compliance with forest protection commitments.
A new international study published in Nature found that organic food production requires more land, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Organic peas and winter wheat have significantly larger climate impacts than their conventional counterparts.
Rates of deforestation in war zones increase dramatically once peace is declared, according to a University of Waterloo study. Forests and jungles provide ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and food provision, which are hindered by deforestation after conflict ends.
Up to 15 million hectares of Brazilian Amazon are at risk of losing legal protection due to agricultural growth, which could lead to valuable natural ecosystems and biodiversity loss. The study suggests that revising the law or implementing non-deforestation commitments could mitigate this issue.
A recent survey by ZSL's SPOTT found that only 49 of the world's top palm oil producers and traders have committed to zero-deforestation pledges, but many lack effectiveness in addressing deforestation. Companies must provide detailed information on monitored areas and methods used to track forest cover.
Deforestation in Haiti has led to the loss of primary forest cover on 42 of its 50 largest mountains. This has resulted in mass extinctions among reptiles, amphibians, and other vertebrates. The study's findings suggest that over the next two decades, all of Haiti's remaining primary forest will be lost.
The Pando aspen clone, widely considered the world's largest single organism, is in grave need of forest triage. The study reveals that early protection from fencing showed great promise in abating browser impacts, but follow-up fencing efforts are currently failing.
A joint study by University of Sheffield and National University of Singapore found that combined impacts of deforestation and wildlife trade on Sundaland bird species are underestimated, with 50-90 species at risk of extinction by 2100.
New research reveals that reducing Amazon deforestation has led to a significant increase in natural vegetation destruction in the nearby Cerrado region. The study suggests that the unintended consequences of conservation efforts can have profound impacts on neighboring areas with significant biodiversity.
A long-term study published in Biology Letters reveals that Amazon mangrove forests store twice as much carbon per acre than the region's famous rainforest. The researchers found that mangroves sequester significant quantities of carbon, which is stored for centuries, and their conservation is crucial for climate change mitigation.
A recent study maps global forest loss and finds that commodity-driven deforestation accounts for approximately 27% of total losses. The rate of commodity-driven deforestation remained steady over a 15-year period, contradicting efforts to reduce forest loss.
A 10-year study found that bird diversity in Honduras cloud forests is moving higher in elevation, driven by globally rising temperatures and land protection limitations.
A new study reveals that carbon reservoirs in the tropical soils of the Yucatan peninsula region are still impacted by ancient Mayan deforestation. Soil carbon storage has changed dramatically over centuries and millennia, with ancient land use affecting long-term persistence.
Current tropical forests' capacity to absorb carbon dioxide is being compromised by deforestation and climate change, threatening global temperature rise goals. Researchers estimate that forests are currently absorbing as much CO2 as they generate through deforestation and degradation.
Mass deforestation in Colombia's Andes-Amazon 'biodiversity bridge' is threatening the region's ecosystems and thousands of rare species. The area, once controlled by FARC soldiers, has been cleared at an alarming rate for farms and coca crops.
Researchers found that enforcing Brazil's Forest Code will not hinder agricultural growth, but rather require intensification of cattle farming to reduce deforestation. The code aims to protect native vegetation, reducing loss by 53.4 million ha and increasing forest restoration.
Researchers found greater than expected deforestation in Southeast Asia's highlands, resulting in a 29.3 million-hectare loss of forest between 2000 and 2014. This represents a 57% increase over current estimations, primarily due to agricultural expansion.
A global study found that Leguminosae trees are twice as common in dry compared with wet secondary forests during the first three decades of natural forest regeneration. These trees have high drought tolerance and can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, making them essential for tropical forest regrowth in dry regions.
A new study by Imperial College London highlights the difficulties in guaranteeing 'deforestation-free' palm oil products, citing complex supply chains and a lack of consensus on what constitutes deforestation. Researchers suggest that certification schemes like RSPO can help, but more effective solutions are needed to ensure sustainab...
A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that deforestation could lead to a significant rise in global temperatures if not addressed. The research, led by Paulo Artaxo, used computer modeling and found that the loss of tropical forests would intensify global warming by 0.8°C on average.
A study using physics principles explains global patterns of tropical forest fragmentation, revealing critical points beyond which fragment numbers increase dramatically. The research found similar size distributions on all three continents, suggesting a universal pattern.
Research found that forest owners at greater risk of causing deforestation are more likely to participate in conservation programs when controlled harvesting is allowed. Sustainable timber harvesting was a key factor in their willingness to accept contracts, suggesting that such practices can enhance ecological impacts.
A Stanford-led synthesis paper reveals strengths and weaknesses of corporate environmental pledges, suggesting a range of public-private policy solutions to boost their impact. The study recommends complementing regulation with endorsement and reinforcement of company standards, sharing information, and covering compliance costs for sm...
A study led by the University of Leeds found that reactive gases emitted by forests have a net cooling effect, outweighing their warming impact. This means deforestation could lead to higher temperatures than previously anticipated, highlighting the need for better understanding of forest climate impacts.
The Isiboro-Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory (TIPNIS) in Bolivia has been subject to alarming levels of deforestation, with over 46,000 hectares lost since 2000. The planned road construction will likely exacerbate this issue, putting the region's biodiversity at risk.
A new study estimates that sustainability certification significantly reduced deforestation in Indonesian plantations, saving 21 square kilometers of forests from destruction. However, the actual area conserved was surprisingly small, and more robust protection is necessary to effectively conserve tropical forests.
Researchers studied the effect of palm oil sustainability certification on deforestation in Indonesia from 2001-2015. Certification was found to significantly reduce deforestation, but had no effect on peatland forest loss or fire activity.
Researchers at Yale University have reestimated African deforestation, finding a 21.7% loss of closed-canopy forests since 1900. The study highlights the importance of focusing conservation efforts in areas with actual deforestation rather than incorrectly labelled savannas.
A study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that Amazon forest areas have limited ability to recover due to recent climate changes. The findings suggest that replanted and recovering forests can only lock away about two-thirds of the carbon they have lost over the past 20 years.
A team of over 15,000 scientists from 184 countries warns of severe consequences for human well-being due to negative environmental trends. The authors propose steps to reverse these trends, including establishing nature reserves and promoting renewable energy.
New research has found that protecting high carbon stock forests can benefit mammal diversity and support biodiversity conservation. The study used camera-trap images and satellite imagery to show a clear correlation between high carbon areas and endangered mammals in Borneo.